A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall Photo Maxi's Confirmation

Here is the only photo a friend took w/ my camera. I thought she was getting lots of shots! But, fortunately, my pal Angel had her camera along as well and I did see her taking pictures, so I'll have those tomorrow for you all.




So here is Maxi with the Bishop of Maine, Stephen Lane and his dad, Edward.

I don't know how well you can see the Bishop's Festive garb, but it was a gift to him from the people of the Diocese of Rochester at his election & consecration here. The Festive garbs depict the State of Maine with its mountains and forests and wildlife. The matching Chasuble shows the waves and the sands with seagulls. The golden mitre (hat) is called First Light because the sun arrives here first in the US... if you look at a map, you will see that Northern Maine stretches far to the East. It was an enormous gift from the people of New York to us and I can't imagine the effort it took to create those garments.

Well the day went great but not without hitches.

First of all, my new Sunday Girl was late arriving because the agency gave her the wrong address... they've done that three times in a row with new girls! But she found us. The difficulty was she is Cambodian and doesn't speak fluent English yet. But she is proud to explain that she was Cambodian and a Buddhist but now she is American Citizen and Christian!

Anyway, we all pile into her car... me, Maxi, his best friend Dom, my girl, the cooler, my wheel chair and miscellaneous other things. And off we go, to a church that is only about 15 miles north of here. I had precise directions from on-line. And we got hopelessly lost! For over an hour!

I am a person who never gets lost, ever! But in that town there aren't street signs! And the major street we wanted doesn't continue straight. It has sharp turns in it! So we wandered and wandered and asked for help over and over. I was getting frantic. Maxi was supposed to meet with the Bishop at 10:30 and we arrived at the church at 11 just as the music was starting. I had gotten so upset, I was having chest pain.

So we settled down quickly but the church was hot and stuffy and pretty crowded. After Communion, I got so lightheaded and overwhelmed, my friend Angel had to take me outside while my priest brought me water.

My dear friend Stephanie (known each other since 3rd grade) drove all the way up here from Cambridge MA (2 1/2 hours) and my good friend Jane from Camden, ME drove down 2 hours. Lori & her family came in from Auburn, 1 hour away. EVERYBODY did fine until they got to that town and EVERYBODY got lost there!

So after church, we headed to the lovely Ft. Williams State Park, less than 1 mile from the church. It is right on the coast and home to the beautiful Portland Head Light, the oldest lighthouse in our country commissioned by George Washington.

Well, my Sunday Girl, new American Citizen, had never seen a light house before so the women took her up to see it close. She loved it!

Edward grilled burgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken and steak. There was potato salad, macaroni salad, watermelon, cake, marshmallows to roast, pretzels and chips, soda, juice, coffee, and Chardonay

It was as breezy as always at the park; a famous place for kite flyers. Then a fog rolled in and it cooled down considerably. But the kids ran and played, the grown up sat around talking, and everybody ate very well.

Maxi was so happy!

I was able to relax at the park. We got his fancy Confirmation Mobile hung in a tree, and the table decorated and his special chair set up and while Edward ran the grill I sat there with a cup of coffee and a cup of wine and just rested.

About half of the people who had returned an RSVP confirming their attendance today, didn't show up! So we had way more than we needed, which is better than not having enough. But Maxi was pleased with the turn out, and got to spend some time with everyone.

sounds wonderful merme.
so sorry that not everyone you expected showed up, but hey, as long as maxi was happy then it was a fine day. You are right---having more food is better than running short. I am happy for you all.

Sounds like a wonderful day, despite the trouble start. Looking forward to seeing more pictures!

Glad Maxi had fun since that was the main objective and glad you didn't faint or worse. Hope the chest pains didn't last long.

Aren't people just rude, unless it was emergencies, that kept the RSVPers from showing up; or maybe they're still lost in that town. The rudest thing is to not RSVP at all and for some reason my youngest daughter will sometimes not do it.

I'm at work and can't see the picture but I'll sure be checking back when I get home.

Take a break today.

Sounds like it was a wonderful day despite the hitches. I'm glad Maxi was able to enjoy himself and spend time with all the guests - good for him!


The Bishop's "garb" reminds me of some Torah coverings I've seen in Temples. Or wall hangings there also - they also represent the area the Temple is in sometimes, and can be quite beautiful and colorful.

Sorry about the little troubles you had but am so glad things worked out...the pic is wonderful. Edward looks very proud.

Now I can see the picture. The Bishop looks happy.

Congrats to Maxi...

Lynne I have never seen the Torah covers you mentioned in real life, though I've seen them in film. I always suspected they are lovelier up close!

This picture doesn't show it, but the lining of that top vestment is the same gold as the Mitre (hat). It is really quite something to see.

I studied sewing Ecclesiastical Vestments for about a year but never got the nerve up to actually try to sew something! The fabrics are very complex and expensive (!) and one botched cut line could spoil hundreds of dollars. But since I enjoy looking at the Ecclesiastical fabrics, I've never given up hope that someday I'll actually make something.... maybe start with something easy such as the stole.

Yes, Maxi had a happy day and even my Ex's girlfriend's temper tantrum which ended the party fast! wasn't enough to ruin all that had gone before.

And God bless Dominic, Maxi's best friend. On Saturday, Maxi was a bundle of nerves and short on sleep. Dom hung in there with him, being present and being supportive. Maxi must have thrown him out about six times, but he kept quietly coming back. He stayed the night, too, and sat right beside him in church. When the priest asked the family to come forward to stand with Maxi, Dom went right up with the rest of us. Yet Dom himself isn't a church kid... doesn't come from a churched family. But it was important to Maxi, so it was important to Dom. Now that's a friend for you!

Merme, when we were confirmed here..we only had one family member allowed to 'stand for us'..and that person was supposed to be picked by the child. DD chose one of her aunts.

here when the kids were confirmed they were only allowed to have their Parents and God Parents stand up with them. They were confirmed, and then child by child, with their family's & Godparents.

when they do it nowe the children are confuirmed as a group and that is all, no family participation.

when my oldest got confimed, the grandparents were allowed as part of the family. when it was my youngest's time, 6 years later, the grandparents were not allowed. My mom had to sit down,---she has not been back to church since...

Love the pic, Congrats Maxi... you look good!
All special days have their trials to get thru along with the good stuff- so glad it all ended well and Dom is to bet congratulated to for being a true friend to Maxi... glad you are doing okay too- take care and rest... got to be good for June trip...
Nana

Did Angel send pics yet?

I was jsut wondering that very thing---

She sent three photos this evening and when I downloaded them, I got a message about an error in the file....

Here's one....






You can see his beautiful banner in the background, lovingly made for him by his Aunt Ro.

that banner is beautiful, Merme. Maxi must be so proud of it!!!

Beautiful Merme.